There have been many strange leaders through out history- many of them have also had strange ideas as well! But how many of them have had rather unusual or strange deaths? Read on to find out more!
1. Rasputin
Grigori Rasputin lived at the time just before World War 1- 1869-1916 to be exact and despite the fact he was born a peasant at the bottom of society, by the time he died, he became very close to the Russian Tsar Nicholas II (the Russian leader). During his climb to power though, he had made many enemies along the way. They first tried to poison him with a cyanide laced cake- which had no effect! Then he slugged down 3 glasses of wine which was also poisoned... again he was fine! Then to make sure, his enemies shot him several times, then wrapped his body in a cloth and dumped him in a river! What a way to go!
2. Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar was one of the most famous Roman Emperors that ever lived... but... he made enemies along the way. By the time of his death, his opponents felt that he was becoming far too powerful- far too big for his boots. Brutus and Cassius, who were supposedly his friends, plotted to kill him behind his back. Along with 21 other assailants, Caesar was stabbed 23 times at the Senate in Rome. Death by a 1000 cuts- well, 23 anyway!
3. Boudicca
Boudicca- Queen of the Iceni was one of the first female British leaders. She is famous for rebelling against Roman rule in the 1st century AD. In the process, she burnt down several Roman strongholds which were St Albans, London and Colchester- which was the capital of England at this time. Eventually though she lost against the Roman forces at the Battle of Watling Street and fled. Rather than face being caught, Boudicca, as well as her daughters, poisoned themselves.
4. Blackbeard the Pirate
Tales of Blackbeard's shenanigans have become legendary over the past 300 years. However, after leading a life of crime on the high seas, his time came to an end when the government forces shot him in incredible 5 times, and slashed his body with swords 20 times as well! I am not surprised he didn't survive that punishment!
5. Pope Adrian IV
Pope Adrian IV, whose original name was Nicholas Breakspear, was the only Catholic Pope to have come from England. Sadly his demise came when he choked on a fly that was stuck in his wine glass!
6. King Alexander I of Greece.
Whilst walking his German shepherd dog, Alexander I- King of Greece- was also at the same time trying to defend the dog against a passing monkey (I know that sounds strange...). Another monkey was also passing at the same time and ended up biting the King on his leg. His wounds were supposedly cleaned, but they became infected and he died shortly after.
7. Mary, Queen of Scots
Mary was put to death in the court of her cousin Queen Elizabeth I of England. Mary had been plotting to kill the Queen behind her back. When she was beheaded, it did not go entirely to plan. The first axe blow missed her neck entirely and clattered into the back of her head. The second one didn't cut straight through the neck either- all of this went on whilst Mary was still clinging to life- whether she wanted to or not. The executioner had to finally saw her head off with the axe. Please don't complain about a grazed knee again!
8. Leon Trotsky
Similar to Grigori Rasputin, Leon Trotsky was close to the Russian leaders after World War I. In fact, he nearly became the leader when Vladimir Lenin died in 1924. However, Joseph Stalin became leader instead and was a sworn enemy of Trotsky. Trotsky escaped Russia and fled to Mexico. It took until 1940, but Stalin's agents eventually tracked him down, killing him by planting an ice pick directly into his skull.
9. Oliver Cromwell
If you think England has always had Kings and Queens- well then you are wrong! During the years 1653-58, Oliver Cromwell was the leader of Great Britain- as he abolished the monarchy. However, he died of an illness in 1658. This isn't altogether that strange. However, when he died, the monarchy was revived and the new King dug up his body three years after his death, hung his body from chains, beheaded him and threw him into a pit! The severed head eventually was buried in Westminster Abbey in 1960! That'll teach anyone who crosses the Royal Family!
10. Attila the Hun
Following his marriage in the 5th century, Attila the Hun went on a big rampant celebration- drinking copious amounts of wine in the process. Trying to recover, he lay on his bed and promptly had an uncontrollable nose bleed and died!
So there you have it- 10 leaders from History who have died gruesome deaths! If you have any other gruesome deaths to share please put them in the comments below!
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